Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces

Advice

This policy is intended to bring together key operational information for schools on the regional and area-based Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforces (HWIW), including providing guidance on the Health Wellbeing Key Contact (HWKC) function.

Summary

The department values the health, wellbeing and inclusion of all students. The department’s priority initiatives include mental health, disability and inclusion and self-determination reforms, and the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO 2.0), placing wellbeing alongside learning at the heart of education outcomes.

The HWIW work as integrated, multidisciplinary teams to provide support to government schools across Victoria. They support schools in meeting the engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and learning needs of students.

The HWIW includes identified staff who, as a function of their role, provide schools with support as a HWKC. This function enables schools to access timely advice regarding information and support for student, cohort and whole-school needs on matters of health, wellbeing, and inclusion. Guidance on the HWKC can be found on the Guidance tab.

The HWIW is comprised of education and allied health professionals with specialist skills, knowledge and expertise in a range of health, wellbeing and learning needs of students and schools:

• Student Support Services (SSS) (psychologists, social workers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and behaviour analysts)
• primary and secondary school nurses
• visiting teachers (VTs)
• Koorie engagement support officers (KESOs)
• other region or area-based staff whose key role is to provide health and wellbeing support to schools.

Related policies

• Behaviour – Students
• Disability Inclusion Funding and Support
• Disability Inclusion Profile
• EAL – Provision for Newly Arrived Students
• Equal Opportunity and Human Rights – Students
• FISO 2.0
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Koorie Education
• LGBTIQA+ Student Support
• Mental Health in Schools
• Student Resource Package – Target Initiatives
• Student Voice, Agency and Leadership
• Student Support Groups
• Supporting Students in Out-of-Home Care

Contact

For advice regarding the health and wellbeing supports available for students, schools should contact their Health Wellbeing Key Contact via their regional office.

For general enquiries relating to the HWIW, contact the Health, Wellbeing, Inclusion and Resilience team who will direct your query: health.wellbeing.inclusion.resilience@education.vic.gov.au